D-Day dawns for 2,500 Limerick Leaving Cert students

LEAVING CERT: RESULTS DUE WITH CAO OFFERS ON AUGUST 22

Best of luck: Leaving Cert students from St Clement's College, Colin Blaney and Sean Taylor, as they studied the papers in June Picture: Adrian Butler

THE WAIT is almost over. From early morning, students will descend on schools across the county, with parents and teachers anxiously waiting to hear the news.

Some 2,573 students across Limerick city and county will today receive their Leaving Certificate results from 9am, with others living abroad able to receive their results online from 12 noon.

There will be tears of joy and sadness across the country, with some 55,708 students nationally receiving that little slip of paper that means so much.

But regardless of the grades, or number of A1s, students are being advised that irrespective of the points they receive, that the course and profession of their dreams remains open to them through multiple routes.

Padraig Flanagan, principal of Castletroy College, which produced the now famous Collison brothers, said just under 200 students will receive their results today.

“It really is a day of emotions for so many,” he said, urging students not to let the results “good, bad or indifferent, define you”.

“The CAO in a way is a bit like a SatNav – if you don’t get the points or the first course you would like, it will direct you,” he told the Limerick Leader.

Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on education and skills, Senator Maria Byrne, has wished Limerick’s Leaving Cert Students the best of luck today.

“Finally the long wait is over for Limerick’s Leaving Cert students and their families. It is always a time of great anticipation for students and their families. However, I am sure that the wait will be worth it in the end and that the work put in by students over the last two years pays off.

“Unfortunately, not everyone gets the result they wanted. What I would say to those that are disappointed with their results or who do not get what they anticipate is ensure that you view your exam scripts and if necessary get your examination papers rechecked. Even if you do not get the points for the course you wish to study it is not the end of the world. There are always ways and means of getting to where you want to be in the future.”

The overall number sitting the examinations has increased by just under one per cent from 57,931 candidates in 2015 to 58,466 in 2016.

Of the 58,466 candidates who sat Leaving Certificate examinations this year, 55,708 candidates followed the Leaving Certificate (established) programme, including 14,637 (26%) who followed the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme. A further 2,758 (4.7%) candidates followed the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme.

With CAO Round One offers due on August 22, the Union of Students in Ireland is advising students who wish to progress to third level education on the next steps to take.

“The first thing we would like to say to students who have just done their Leaving Certificate is congratulations,” said Annie Hoey, USI president.

“It’s probably the toughest exam most people will do in their life and it spans across so many diverse subjects, both optional and obligatory. It’s important to bear in mind that when you go to college, you’ll most likely be studying in a field you’re interested in and better at. Overall leaving cert points don’t reflect your ability in one area.”

CAO Round Two offers will be issued on August 31 and USI is reminding students that if they don’t get their first choice, to wait and see what they get in the second round.

The organisation Drinkaware is appealing to parents to discuss their exam celebration plans with their children as they collect their Leaving Cert exam results today.

According to independent research carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes, parents are the biggest influence on young people’s decisions around alcohol.

If you wish, you can contact us using any of the methods below. 54 O'Connell Street Limerick Ireland Email: news@limerickleader.ie Telephone: 061 214500

This website and its associated sites are full participating members of the Press Council of Ireland and supports the Office of the Press Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to defending the freedom of the press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles that appear on our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman go to www.pressombudsman.ie or www.presscouncil.ie